The empty seats where John Alder and Liam Sweeney sat in the ground will be a poignant reminder of the tragedy which took their lives

The plans to pay tribute to John Alder and Liam Sweeney when Newcastle United take on Manchester City emerged as the club’s managing director sent a personal letter to the grieving families.

The club’s managing director Lee Charnley expressed his condolences in the note to Liam’s dad Barry, as well as paying tribute to a “true friend of the club”.

Liam, a Newcastle United season ticket holder, was travelling to New Zealand to watch his team play in a pre-season friendly alongside football fanatic John when the plane was shot down over war-torn eastern Ukraine.

Barry and his family will attend the game on August 17 as guests of the club.

He said: “The club have been tremendous. We can’t complain about anyone, the support we’ve received is great.

“It’s like living in a nightmare with lots of nice people.”

In the letter to Barry and his family Mr Charnley said: “Liam was greatly admired, both by his fellow fans and indeed everybody at the club, for the passion and devotion that he showed to Newcastle United, rarely missing a game and travelling great distances to cheer on his beloved Toon.

“He was without question one of our most loyal supporters and a true friend of the club.”

A wreath waits to be placed on to two stadium seats in memory of Newcastle United supporters, John Alder and Liam Sweeney, who lost their lives on Malaysian Airlines flight MH17

Barry received the news on Tuesday that his son was among the 220 bodies flown back to the Netherlands. John’s body is yet to be identified.

Liam’s step-mum Lesley said: “Before they found him I still thought there was a possibility he might be wandering around somewhere but now I know he’s definitely dead there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Lesley is suffering from terminal lung cancer and when she’s not at home she stays at the Marie Curie Hospice, in Elswick.

She said: “I feel like I’m waiting in a queue and now Liam’s gone I feel like he’s jumped the queue and I just didn’t expect that to happen. It’s just been very sad.”

It was in 2000 when Liam became hooked on Newcastle United.

Barry said: “I broke my leg in 2000 and that’s when Liam started getting hooked, he was about 12 or 13.

“Even when we got beat Liam would always take something positive out of the game.”

The family are expecting Liam’s body to be flown to the West Midlands in the next few days.

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